Reliably

/rɪˈlaɪəbli/

adverbmedium📊CommonGeneral
1 meaning2 questions

Definitions

1

In a way that can be trusted or depended on.

/rɪˈlaɪəbli/

adverbneutralmedium
General

In a trustworthy and dependable way.

The old car still starts reliably every morning.

💡 Simply: Like a friend you know will *always* show up, or a gadget that *always* works. Something is doing what you expect it to, without any surprises!

👶 For kids: Doing something in a way that you can count on it to be good and correct all the time.

More Examples

2

The team performs reliably under pressure.

3

You can depend on her to show up and work reliably.

How It's Used

Technology

"The software performed reliably during testing."

Business

"Our suppliers deliver products reliably, every time."

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

From "reliable" + "-ly". "Reliable" comes from "rely" + "-able", originating in the 16th century.

Historically, the use of "reliably" has increased with the rise of technology and systems which emphasize consistent performance.

Memory tip

Think of 'rely'. If you can *rely* on something, it acts *reliably*.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"re- (again, back) + lier (to bind, be connected)"

perform reliablyoperate reliablydeliver reliablywork reliablyrespond reliably

Common misspellings

reliabilyrelyably

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written